{"id":3640,"date":"2026-10-29T19:08:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T11:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ryanhursh.com\/blog\/?p=3640"},"modified":"2026-10-29T19:08:00","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T11:08:00","slug":"can-i-use-storage-boxes-for-hiking-gear-4353-01cf40","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.ryanhursh.com\/blog\/2026\/10\/29\/can-i-use-storage-boxes-for-hiking-gear-4353-01cf40\/","title":{"rendered":"Can I use storage boxes for hiking gear?"},"content":{"rendered":"

When I first started my storage box supply business, I\u2019ll admit\u2014most of my clients were office managers, dorm supervisors, and people moving apartments. Then, last year, a freelance hiking influencer hit me up out of the blue, asking if my heavy-duty plastic storage boxes could work for trail gear. I almost laughed it off. Who uses storage boxes for hiking, anyway? Turns out, it\u2019s way more of a game-changer than I ever would\u2019ve guessed. Storage Box<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s break this down straight: yes, you absolutely can use storage boxes for hiking gear\u2014but it\u2019s not a one-size-fits-all call. A lot of hikers default to overpriced branded gear bags, but my team and I tested our boxes on day hikes, weekend backcountry trips, and even a 10-day trek through the Pacific Northwest this summer, and the results were wild. Spoiler: we didn\u2019t come back with half our stuff broken or waterlogged. But I also saw a buddy use a flimsy lidded bin for a 5-mile trail and end up with a dent that left his sleeping bag soaked. So let\u2019s talk about the good, the bad, and the random hacks we\u2019ve picked up along the way.<\/p>\n

First, the biggest win for storage boxes on hikes? Protection. Let\u2019s be real\u2014hiking gear gets destroyed if it\u2019s bouncing around loose in a regular backpack or a beat-up duffel. My company\u2019s heavy-duty storage boxes are made with BPA-free, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) that\u2019s thick enough to stand up to being knocked against rocks, dragged through mud, or even dropped off a small cliff (don\u2019t ask how we tested that part). For hikers who haul fragile stuff\u2014camera gear, portable solar panels, that fancy new water filtration system\u2014this is non-negotiable. I once had a client who used our stackable small storage boxes for his weekend backcountry trip, and his $800 DSLR was totally fine after a rainstorm where his backpack got dumped in a stream. The box didn\u2019t let a drop get through.<\/p>\n

Wait, but what about day hikes vs. multi-day trips? Day hikers love the small, 10-liter to 25-liter storage boxes\u2014they fit perfectly in the bottom of a daypack, take up zero extra space, and keep things like first-aid kits, snacks, and extra socks from getting squished. I\u2019ve seen groups of friends each grab one for day trips, and they all came back saying they never had to dig through a messy backpack to find their energy bar. For multi-day trips, we tested the 50-liter lidded boxes\u2014some hikes even strap two of them to the outside of a large backpack, or use a larger one as a base for sleeping bags and tents. No more rolling your sleeping bag and hoping it doesn\u2019t unroll mid-hike; the box keeps it compressed and dry.<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s where the hype fades: weight. If you\u2019re a thru-hiker counting every ounce to shave off your pack weight, a plastic storage box isn\u2019t gonna be your move. Our 50-liter box weighs 2.5 pounds empty, which is more than a standard stuff sack for a sleeping bag (that\u2019s like 4 ounces, tops). So for people doing 50+ mile treks where every pound adds up, this might not make sense. But let\u2019s be real\u2014most of us aren\u2019t thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. We\u2019re doing weekend trips, local trails, day hikes with the kids. For that, the extra 2 pounds is nothing compared to the protection you get. My 16-year-old niece went on a 3-day trip with her Boy Scout troop last month, and she brought a 20-liter box with her emergency kit, and she said she didn\u2019t even notice the weight.<\/p>\n

Another big pro: organization. I swear, half the stress of a hike is rummaging through your backpack for something at 6 a.m. when you\u2019re cold and hangry. Storage boxes let you pre-pack everything by category\u2014one box for kitchen gear (stove, pots, utensils), one for sleeping gear, one for first aid, one for electronics. We tested this on a 7-day trip to Mount Rainier, and we could grab the exact box we needed in 10 seconds flat instead of 10 minutes of digging. No more dumping your entire backpack on the ground just to find a band-aid. And since our boxes are stackable, you can leave them in the car when you\u2019re at the campsite, so your tent or cabin stays way less messy than if all your gear is spread out. That\u2019s a huge win for group trips, trust me.<\/p>\n

But let\u2019s not gloss over the cons, because there are some. First, water resistance\u2014wait, no, our boxes are watertight, right? Well, kinda. If you drop it in a stream, it\u2019ll float and nothing gets in. But if you leave it out in the rain with the lid ajar, water does seep in. Also, if you\u2019re strapping it to the outside of your pack, make sure you get the ones with reinforced handles and latches. The cheap bins I sold 5 years ago? Their handles broke on the first test trip. Now, all our boxes have heavy-duty latches and handholds, so you don\u2019t have to worry about that. Another con: if you\u2019re hiking on super technical trails, like rock scrambles where you\u2019re jumping over boulders, a hard box is gonna jostle your gear way more than a flexible stuff sack. We had that problem on a hike in Moab\u2014one of our team members had a camera in a box, and the lens got shifted because of all the bouncing on the rocks. So for technical, strenuous trails, you might want to pair the box with a soft cover, or just use a stuff sack for fragile items there.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a random hack we learned: for day hikes, use the small stackable storage boxes that have a lid that snaps on, not the ones with loose lids. We found that the snap-on lids don\u2019t open accidentally when your backpack is bouncing, which is a huge issue. I once saw a guy\u2019s entire first-aid kit fall out of his backpack halfway up a trail because the lid was loose. Never again. Also, for winter hikes, we\u2019ve started adding a little silica gel packet in each box to keep moisture out\u2014no more wet gloves or socks at the end of the day. That\u2019s a game-changer for cold weather.<\/p>\n

Wait, what about cost? A lot of hikers think storage boxes are expensive compared to gear bags, but that\u2019s not true. Our 20-liter heavy-duty box is about $12, which is cheaper than most branded small gear bags. And since they\u2019re made to last for years, not just one trip, you\u2019re saving money in the long run. I\u2019ve had clients who\u2019ve used the same boxes for hiking, moving, storing garage tools, even organizing their kids\u2019 toys\u2014so it\u2019s a multi-use item, not just a hiking thing. That\u2019s the best part, in my opinion.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s talk about a common myth, too: people think storage boxes are too rigid to fit in a backpack. But we tested all our boxes with different backpacks, and the small and medium sizes fit perfectly in most internal-frame and external-frame packs. The 20-liter fits in a daypack, the 50-liter fits in a 60-liter backpack\u2014no issues. Just make sure you measure your backpack before you buy, which is smart for any gear, really. I always tell people, don\u2019t just grab a box because it\u2019s cheap\u2014measure the inside of your pack first, and make sure it\u2019ll slide in easily without forcing it.<\/p>\n

Another thing: sustainability. A lot of hikers care about eco-friendly gear, and our storage boxes are made from 100% recyclable HDPE plastic. Plus, since they\u2019re durable, you\u2019re not throwing away a new gear bag every time your old one breaks. We\u2019ve had clients switch from single-use plastic bags or disposable storage to our boxes, and they love that it\u2019s a one-time purchase that works for multiple uses. That\u2019s a big selling point for people who are into Leave No Trace principles, too\u2014you\u2019re not adding extra waste to the trail.<\/p>\n

So who should actually use storage boxes for hiking? If you\u2019re a casual hiker\u2014doing weekend trips, day hikes, family hikes, car camping\u2014this is perfect. It protects your gear, keeps you organized, is affordable, and multi-use. If you\u2019re a thru-hiker or doing super technical, multi-month treks, you might want to stick to lighter options, but even then, you could use a small box for specific items like your kitchen gear that you don\u2019t want to break. And if you\u2019re someone who hates digging through a messy backpack? This is for you, no question.<\/p>\n

Now, I\u2019ll be honest\u2014when that first influencer hit me up, I was skeptical. But after testing it out and getting feedback from hundreds of hikers, I\u2019m a total convert. My team and I still use our boxes for our own personal hikes, and we even bring a few extra to sell at local trailhead pop-ups on weekends. It\u2019s been way more popular than I ever thought it would be.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re thinking about trying storage boxes for your next hike, just remember: don\u2019t go too big, make sure it\u2019s durable, and measure your backpack first. And if you\u2019re a business owner or someone who needs to stock up for a group hike, car camping trip, or outdoor event, we\u2019ve got bulk options that\u2019ll save you even more.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re interested in testing them out for your next adventure, hit us up to chat about bulk orders, custom sizes, or any other questions you have about how our boxes work for hiking gear. We\u2019re here to help make your next trip less stressful and your gear way better protected.<\/p>\n

Kitchen Tableware<\/a> References<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. (2023). "Leave No Trace Principles for Hikers and Campers."<\/li>\n
  2. Outdoor Industry Association. (2022). "Hiker Gear Weight Trends 2022."<\/li>\n
  3. Consumer Product Safety Commission. (2021). "BPA-Free Plastic Containers: Safety Guidelines for Recreational Use."<\/li>\n
  4. Backpacker Magazine. (2023). "2023 Hiking Gear Storage Guide: Best Options for Day Trips and Backcountry Trips."<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \n

    Taizhou Huangyan Jinjiayi Daily Necessities Co., Ltd.<\/a>
    Taizhou Huangyan Jinjiayi Daily Necessities Co., Ltd. is one of the most reliable storage box manufacturers and suppliers in China, specialized in providing high quality customized products. We warmly welcome you to wholesale bulk high-grade storage box made in China here from our factory. For price consultation, contact us.
    Address: No.1 Beiyuan Avenue, Beicheng Street, Huangyan District, Taizhou City
    E-mail: nwodalily@gmail.com
    WebSite:     https:\/\/www.nwodaily.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    When I first started my storage box supply business, I\u2019ll admit\u2014most of my clients were office … Can I use storage boxes for hiking gear?<\/span>Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":846,"featured_media":3640,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[3603],"class_list":["post-3640","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry","tag-storage-box-4719-0384f2"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.ryanhursh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3640","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.ryanhursh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.ryanhursh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.ryanhursh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/846"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.ryanhursh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3640"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.ryanhursh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3640\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.ryanhursh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3640"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.ryanhursh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3640"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.ryanhursh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3640"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.ryanhursh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3640"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}